Beneficiaries commend Lafarge over Mfamosing plant skills acquisition programme

Beneficiaries of Lafarge Africa’s CSR footprints in Mfamosing and adjoining communities in Cross River State have praised the company for the impact of its Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme.

The beneficiaries who were nominated by the leaders of their host communities went through intensive training in mechanical engineering, welding and fabrication, aluminum doors and windows processing, block molding, fashion designing, computer, making of confectionaries, poultry and feed making.

In addition to the skill acquisition training, each beneficiary was paid a monthly stipend during the period of the training which lasted between one and two years. At the end of the exercise, the trainees were handed starter packs to enable them become self-employed and future employers of labour.

The beneficiaries noted that the programme, which was geared towards capacity building, skills acquisition; financial empowerment, job creation and curtailing of youth’s restiveness have positively impacted their lives.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ruth David Peter, a young mother of two from Ekong Anaku community said: “Lafarge sent me on training in fashion design for one year and after that, they gave me starter packs including a sewing machine. I saved the stipend they were giving me during my one-year training from October 2020 to October 2021 to rent this shop. Since I started sewing, I have bought two additional machines from the money I made from sewing. When we were undergoing the training, we were advised to ensure we train others when we graduate. These two girls here are undergoing training under me for free. As the company trained me for free, I am also training them for free.”

Similarly, Kashang Martin Obiri, also from Ekong Anaku community who is currently studying Computer Science at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, said that he obtained training in welding and fabrication and got starter packs at the end of his training.

“My training lasted for one year and six months. I can apply the knowledge I gathered during the training anywhere in the world. I am very grateful to Lafarge for sponsoring me for the training. I have been using the skill I learnt to support myself in school,” Obiri said.

16-year-old Favour Baron Odok from Kasuk Community in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of the state threads in an uncommon terrain for older women, let alone of girls of her age. Odok is undergoing training in mechanical engineering where she is being taught how to fabricate automobile parts as well as fix haulage trucks that need repair.

“I specialize in the fabrication of carburetors and injectors of haulage trucks. Very soon I will go across the road to fix one of the trucks,” she said.

It is a similar positive story from the Mfamosing community in Akamkpa Local Government Area where 21-year old Miss Gift Cletus Ekun said she is a beneficiary of Lafarge Africa’s Skills Empowerment Programme.

“I went through Electrical Engineering training. I am through with it, and I have been given admission to study the same Electrical Engineering at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS. I thank Lafarge because what they taught helped me to prepare for university education. May God bless Lafarge,” Miss Ekun said.

Another beneficiary, Edwin Etta, from Mboby community, Akampka LGA said that through the company’s empowerment scheme, he benefited immensely from the training in block-molding and bricks making. “Since last year, after I finished training, my life has improved, and I am very happy now. I even chose where to work because what I learnt from the Lafarge training can hardly be given to you anywhere else,” Etta said.

Joseph Okon from Essien Town, in Calabar municipality, said since he completed his training in Welding and Fabrication last year his financial situation has improved: “I remain grateful to Lafarge because I no longer depend on my parents for money. Since I am still working in the shop where I was trained, I have been able to save some money, and with the starter pack given to me by the company, I will set up my shop soon. I also support my younger ones, and my mother who is a trader. My mother keeps praying for all the good things to happen to Lafarge,” Okon said.

Speaking on the development, Ntufam Alphonsus Bassey, the Community Relations Committee Chairman for Mboby community in Akampka LGA and the 17 communities that make up the Lafarge Host Communities, commended the company for the support it has been rendering to the communities.